H. O. Bragg Roofing, Inc. v. First Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n

Independent actions were brought by plaintiffs H.O. Bragg Roofing, Inc. (hereinafter called Bragg Roofing), Consolidated Rock Products Co. (hereinafter called Consolidated) and Rossman Mill and Lumber Co., Ltd., (hereinafter called Rossman) to enforce claims under section 1190.1, subdivision (h) of the Code of Civil Procedure, and mechanic’s liens filed and recorded under section 1193 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The eases were consolidated for trial. Judgment was entered against defendant First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Long Beach (hereinafter called First Federal) for damages sustained by plaintiffs. First Federal appeals from this judgment.

Facts

In 1959 a builder named Gosselin purchased three adjoining lots, numbered 9, 10 and 11, from Harvey Sims.

The plaintiffs furnished some of the materials needed in the construction. Before completion and contrary to his agreement with First Federal, Gosselin abandoned all work, left the state and has not returned. A substantial amount of work remained to be done upon each dwelling at the time of abandonment. Under section 1193 of the Code of Civil Procedure the plaintiffs filed and recorded valid mechanics liens. These liens were subordinate to the deeds of trust. In addition the plaintiffs timely served First Federal with valid verified statements of claims and notices to withhold as provided in section 1190.1, subdivision (h) of the Code of Civil Procedure. Consolidated and Rossman filed bonds to indemnify First Federal against any losses it might sustain by withholding funds. Bragg Roofing did not file a bond. At that time there were sufficient funds in the loan accounts to satisfy plaintiffs’ claims.

Thereafter, First Federal used the funds to complete the construction project. First Federal also used part of the funds to pay itself $3,644.75 for principal and interest arising out of the loans made to Gosselin. Bragg Roofing received a check for $800 as part payment of work performed. Over objection there was introduced into evidence a telephone conversation between Mrs. Bragg of Bragg Roofing and Mrs. Auguston, an employee in the loan department of First Federal, in which Mrs. Auguston advised Mrs. Bragg there were sufficient funds in the building loan accounts to pay the balance of sums owing Bragg Roofing for all materials and labor furnished, and that Bragg Roofing need not worry, since no cheeks for roofing would be issued except joint checks payable to Gosselin and Bragg Roofing.

After Gosselin defaulted in his payments due Sims on his purchase money notes, Sims initiated foreclosure proceedings of his second trust deeds.

On these facts the court denied plaintiffs’ claims for mechanics liens, but gave judgment favoring plaintiffs and against First Federal, based on the notices to withhold. Bragg Roofing was awarded $1,803, Consolidated $425.15 and Rossman $7,096.33, with interest in each case.

As to Bragg Roofing, the trial court found in substance that it relied on the statements made by First Federal through Mrs. Auguston, did not resort to the remedies available to it which it would have done had the statements not been made, and in consequence First Federal was estopped to deny Bragg Roofing’s claim.

Issues

(1) Did the filing by the plaintiffs of the notice to withhold create an unqualified right in Bossman and Consolidated to payment of their claims from the loan funds ? Yes.

In these cases it is undisputed that there were building loan funds or construction funds within the meaning of section 1190.1, subdivision (h) of the Code of Civil Procedure, against which the notices to withhold could take effect. Such being the case, the section placed upon First Federal the duty to withhold the amounts claimed. (Rossman Mill & Lumber Co., Ltd. v. Fullerton Sav. & Loan Assn., 221 Cal.App.2d 705 , 708 [ 34 Cal.Rptr. 644 ].) First Federal could not control disbursements by private agreement with the borrower Gosselin and nullify the purpose and intent of the statute. (Rossman Mill & Lumber Co., Ltd. v. Fullerton Sav. & Loan Assn., supra, 221 Cal.App.2d 705 , 709-710.) In the Fullerton case the fundholder incurred liability for failure to withhold funds after being served with a stop notice with bond. The court stated: “The statute is remedial and must be liberally construed to effect its objects and to promote justice. (Hendrickson v. Bertelson, 1 Cal.2d 430 , 432 [ 35 P.2d 318 ]; Fredericksen v. Harney, 199 Cal.App.2d 189 , 195 [ 18 Cal.Rptr. 562 ].) It is designed to protect mechanics and materialmen who furnish labor and materials that go to enhance the value of the owner’s property, an enhancement to

“Certainly the spirit and purpose of the statute is violated by an agreement which purports to control disbursements from a building fund by an assignment and agreement solely for protection of the lender, disregarding the rights of mechanics and materialmen. ’ ’

By ignoring the notices to withhold and disbursing the funds as it saw fit, First Federal incurred personal liability to Rossman and Consolidated. (Rossman Mill & Lumber Co., Ltd. v. Fullerton Sav. & Loan Assn., supra, 221 Cal. App.2d 705 , 711; Calhoun v. Huntington Park First Sav. & Loan Assn., 186 Cal.App.2d 451 ,460 [ 9 Cal.Rptr. 479 ].)

(2) Is there substantial evidence to support the trial court’s finding that Bragg Roofing was assured payment by an agent of First Federal and that Bragg Roofing relied on such to its prejudice, hence First Federal is estopped to deny Bragg Roofing’s claim? Yes.

First Federal contends there was not sufficient evidence to substantiate an estoppel to support Bragg Roofing’s claim. The trial court found by implication that Mrs. Auguston was an agent of First Federal with at least ostensible authority, based upon the fact that she was the person to whom all the materialmen invariably were referred when they wanted information regarding the loan funds for the construction projects. Whether evidence substantiates estoppel is a question of fact, not one of law, and should be left to the trier of fact to determine. (Cruise v. City & County of San Francisco, 101 Cal.App.2d 558 , 562 [ 225 P.2d 988 ]; Cardosa v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., 144 Cal.App.2d 279 , 282 [ 300 P.2d 875 ].) A reviewing court’s power in this regard “begins and ends with a determination as to whether there is any substantial evidence ... which will support the finding of fact.” (Primm v. Primm, 46 Cal.2d 690 , 693 [ 299 P.2d 231 ].) If there is any reasonable doubt as to the sufficiency of the evidence it should be resolved in favor of the finding. (Estate of Bristol, 23 Cal.2d 221 , 223-224 [ 143 P.2d 689 ].) An examination of the record in this case, recited above, discloses substantial evidence on the issue of estoppel to support the trial court’s finding.

(3) Did the court err in admitting Mrs. Bragg’s testimony respecting the statements of Mrs. Auguston, as agent of First Federal? No.

The judgment is affirmed.

Griffin, P. J., and Coughlin, J., concurred.